They were very close to winning Afghanistan simply by depopulating the tribal areas. Then container loads of stinger missiles started showing up. The Russians thought they were bringing a gun to a knife fight. But turned out bringing a gun to a missile duel.

22
posted on 01/12/2012 11:30:42 AM PST
by GonzoGOP
(There are millions of paranoid people in the world and they are all out to get me.)

Heck just bring back the Q-Ship. Let them get good and rusty, fly a flag of convenience and hang out off the cost of Somalia. Fly meet flypaper. German Raider Atlantis. Armament: 6 × 150 mm (5.9 in) guns 1 × 75 mm (3.0 in) gun 2 × twin 37 mm anti-aircraft guns 2 × twin 20 mm cannons 4 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes 92 × mines 2 x Aircraft The cruiser carried a dummy funnel, variable-height masts, and was well supplied with paint, canvas, and materials for further altering her appearance, including costumes for the crew and flags. Atlantis was capable of being modified to twenty-six different silhouettes. She also had a large complement of marines.

30
posted on 01/12/2012 2:02:23 PM PST
by GonzoGOP
(There are millions of paranoid people in the world and they are all out to get me.)

In February 2009, the Russian battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy captured ten pirates who were trying to attack an Iranian fishing trawler. The pirates were brought onboard the battlecruiser and were never heard from again.

The Russian Navy issued the following statement, "The fate of the detainees will be decided in cooperation with the Russian ministries of foreign affairs and justice." I guess Russia has the right idea about some things.

31
posted on 01/12/2012 2:16:05 PM PST
by Stonewall Jackson
("I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.")

Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.